Drawer-type washing machine and locking method thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a drawer-type washing machine and a locking method thereof. The washing machine comprises: a housing having one open side and partitioned into a plurality of compartments; cabinets which can be drawn out forward through the open side of said housing, each of said cabinets being positioned in each of said compartments; washing baths for washing the laundry, each of said washing baths being positioned within each of said cabinets; and locking means provided between said housing and said cabinets for restraining said cabinet from being drawn out forward from said housing, in which the cabinets are automatically drawn out by only operating a switch installed in an outside wall of the housing. It is prevented that the washing machine falls down as all of the cabinets are drawn out biasing the center of gravity forward.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a drawer-type washing machineand a locking method thereof. The drawer-type washing machine comprisesa housing having one open side and is partitioned into a plurality ofcompartments, cabinets positioned within the compartments and washingbaths positioned within the cabinets, in which the cabinets areautomatically drawn out by only operating a switch installed in anoutside wall of the housing. It is prevented that the washing machinefalls down as all of the cabinets are drawn out biasing the center ofgravity forward.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004]FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an upright washingmachine of the related art.

[0005] In the upright washing machine of the related art, a housing 104defines a contour of the washing machine and has a cover 102 mounted tothe upper surface of the housing 104 and switchable between open andclosed positions, a washing bath 106 and 108 has an outer bath of tub106 installed within the housing 104 for containing washing water and aninner bath or basket 108 installed within the tub 106 for doubling as awashing basket and a dryer basket, a driving unit 110 is installed underthe tub 106 for rotating the basket 108, and a damper 112 supports thetub 106 to suspend from the housing 104 while performing a dampingfunction.

[0006] In the upright washing machine configured as above, it isinconvenient to take out the laundry from the upper part of the washingmachine with the cover opened. In washing the laundry consisting ofdifferent kinds of textures, the laundry should be sorted according tothe textures. So, the washing machine should be operated at least twotimes thereby extending washing time and increasing the amount of usedwater. The laundry is taken out from the upper part thereby restrictingutilization of the upper part so that selection of installation space islimited due to difficult space utilization.

[0007] Therefore, to improve the problems of the upright washingmachine, necessity has been prominent for a drawer-type washing machinein which a housing is opened to a side, a washing bath is opened/closedin the open side of the housing and the sorted laundry can be washed atthe same time.

[0008] However, since the cabinets accommodating the washing baths aremanually drawn out as described hereinbefore, inconvenience is incurredin putting a large amount of the laundry or repeatedly putting thelaundry. Also, since the number of cabinets are opened and closed in theside of the housing, the washing machine may fall down when all of thecabinets are drawn out biasing the center of gravity forward.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is proposed to solve the foregoing problemsof the related art, and it is therefore an object of the invention toprovide a washing machine having a cabinet provided with a washing bath,in which the cabinet can be automatically drawn out.

[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide a drawer-typewashing machine having a housing partitioned into a plurality ofcompartments and a locking method thereof, by which it is prevented thatthe washing machine is biased forward and falls down as all of thecabinets are drawn out.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the invention to obtain the object,it is provided a drawer-type washing machine comprising: a housinghaving one open side; a cabinet which can be drawn out forward throughthe open side of the housing, the cabinet being positioned within thehousing; a washing bath positioned within the cabinet for washing thelaundry; and drawing means provided between the housing and the cabinetfor automatically drawing out the cabinet.

[0012] Here, the drawing means comprises: guide panels provided in aside of the cabinet for guiding the cabinet to be drawn out forward; adriving roller provided within the housing, the driving roller beingrotational in the guide panel while contacting therewith; and a drivingmotor for rotating the driving roller to shift the cabinet forward andbackward.

[0013] Also, in the drawer-type washing machine of the invention wherethe housing is partitioned into a plurality of compartments and acabinet for accommodating the washing bath is positioned in each of thecompartments; locking means are provided between the housing and thecabinets for restraining the cabinet from being drawn out forward fromthe housing.

[0014] Here, the locking means comprises: solenoids having actuatingrods for linearly moving upon being powered, each of the solenoids beingprovided within each of the compartments for receiving each of thecabinets; and fitting members for performing a fitting functions uponmovement of the actuating rods, each of the fitting members beingprovided in each of the cabinets.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention to solve theobject, it is provided a locking method of a drawer-type washing machinecomprising the following steps of: judging if a first cabinet is openedwhen the washing machine is powered on; if the first cabinet is judgedas opened, powering a second locking means to locking a second cabinet;if the first cabinet is judged as closed, judging if a second cabinet isopened; and if the second cabinet is judged as opened, powering thefirst locking means to lock the first cabinet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an upright washingmachine of the related art;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of a drawer-type washing machinefor showing a magnified drawing means thereof according to the firstembodiment of the invention;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the drawer-type washing machinefor showing the drawing means thereof according to the first embodimentof the invention;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the drawer-type washing machinefor showing the drawing means thereof in which a washing bath of thewashing machine is opened according to the first embodiment of theinvention;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a drawer-type washing machinefor showing a locking means thereof according to the second embodimentof the invention;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the drawer-type washing machinefor showing the locking means thereof in which a washing bath of thewashing machine is opened according to the second embodiment of theinvention;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a block diagram for showing the locking means of thedrawer-type washing machine according to the second embodiment of theinvention; and

[0023]FIG. 8 is a flow chart for showing a locking method of thedrawer-type washing machine according to the second embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] Hereinafter it will be described in detail about a drawer-typewashing machine and a locking method thereof according to embodiments ofthe invention in reference to the appended drawings.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, in the drawer-type washing machineaccording to the first embodiment of the invention, a housing 2 definesan outer contour and has one open side, a cabinet 4 is inserted bothslidingly and movably into the housing 2 with the open upper side, awashing bath 10 has a tub 6 installed within said cabinet 4 forcontaining washing water and a basket 8 installed within the tub 6 fordoubling as a washing basket and a drier basket, a driving unit 12 isinstalled in the lower part of the tub 6 for rotating the basket 8, adamping unit 39 is installed between the lower part of the tub 6 and theinner side of the cabinet 4 and supports the washing bath 10 whilefunctioning as a damper, and drawing means 40 are installed between thehousing 4 and the cabinet 2 so that the cabinet 4 can be automaticallydrawn out with only a switch manipulation.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 3, the drawing means 40 (only one is shown)includes guide panels 43 d elongated in the horizontal direction at oneside of both outer side walls of the cabinet 4 for allowing the cabinet4 to move linearly, a driving roller 43 c rotationally installed withinthe guide panels 43 d and a driving motor 41 for rotating the drivingroller 43 c to shift the cabinet 4 forward and backward.

[0027] The guide panels 43 d are composed of upper and lower rails whichcontact with the driving roller 43 c respectively and attachedhorizontally in length to one outer side wall of the cabinet 4.

[0028] The driving roller 43 c is made of an elastic material so thatthe cabinet 4 can be slid due to friction force produced from contactwith the guide panels 43 d. Also, as an effect of the elastic material,vibration which is produced in driving the cabinet 4 may not betransmitted to the housing 2.

[0029] In FIG. 3, a driving gear 43 a is installed in an axis connectedwith the driving motor 41 installed in one side of the housing 2, and adriven gear 43 b is installed in an axis of the driving roller 43 c forengaging into the driving gear 43 a.

[0030] The driven gear 43 b is meshed into the driving gear 43 a with adiameter larger compared to the driving gear 43 a so that rotationalforce from the driving gear 43 a is transmitted to the driving roller 43c as more increased while rotational speed thereof is transmitted to thedriving roller 43 c as decreased.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 2 is provided with guide rails 45b (only one is shown), and support rollers 45 a (only one is shown also)positioned on the guide rail 45 b is rotationally installed in one sideof the cabinet 2.

[0032] The support rollers 45 a are installed in the front and rear atboth sides of the cabinet 4 together with the driving rollers 43 c toenable the cabinet 4 to be stably drawn out while maintaining balance,and made of an elastic material as the driving rollers 43 c to functionas a damper so that vibration may not transmitted to the housing 2 indriving the washing machine.

[0033] The operation of the drawing means in the drawer-type washingmachine having the foregoing configuration according to the firstembodiment of the invention will be described as follows:

[0034] First, when a user manipulates a switch, the driving motor 41 isactuated accompanying actuation of the driving motor 43 a installed inthe rotation axis thereof, the driven gear 43 b engaged into the drivinggear 43 a is amplified in rotation force due to relatively largerdiameter and more gear teeth, and then high rotation speed of thedriving motor is decelerated in transmission to the driving roller 43 cfor stably drawing out the cabinet 4.

[0035] Also, when the driving roller 43 c is actuated, the cabinet 4 islinearly moved due to friction force produced between the driving roller43 c and the guide panels 43 d to complete opening of the cabinet 4.

[0036] Then, when the cabinet 4 is closed after receiving the laundryinto the washing bath 10, the same process is carried out as in openingthe cabinet 4.

[0037] A drawer-type washing machine and a locking method thereofaccording to the third embodiment of the invention are shown in FIG. 5to FIG. 8. In the drawer-type washing machine, a housing 2 has one openside and a partition 2 a for dividing the inner space into upper andlower compartments, upper and lower cabinets 50 and 60 are installed inthe upper and lower compartments of the housing 2 respectively and canbe drawn out forward through the open side of the housing 2, and alocking means is installed between the housing 2 and the first andsecond cabinets 50 and 60 for preventing both of the first and secondcabinets 50 and 60 from being drawn out forward from the housing 2.

[0038] Each of the cabinets 50 and 60 accommodates a washing bath withinthe same for washing the laundry as in the foregoing first embodiment.

[0039] The locking means comprises a first locking means 59 installed inthe rear side of the inner upper wall of the housing 2 for performing alocking function to the first cabinet 50, a second locking means 69installed in the rear side of the lower surface of the partition 2 a forperforming a locking function to the second cabinet 60, and a controlmeans, if one of the first and second cabinets 50 and 60 is opened, foractuating the locking means 59 or 69 installed in the other one of thecabinets 50 and 60 to prevent both of the first and second cabinets 50and 60 from being drawing out.

[0040] The first locking means 59 has a first solenoid 52 attached tothe rear side of the inner upper wall of the housing 2 where the firstcabinet 50 is inserted and having an actuating rod 56 which verticallymoves upon being powered, and a first fitting member 54 installed in therear upper surface of the first cabinet 50 for performing a fittingfunction to retain the first cabinet 50 from a further movement when theactuating rod 56 moves downward. The second locking means 69 has asecond solenoid 62 attached to the lower rear side of the compartment 2a and having an actuating rod 66 which vertically moves upon beingpowered, and a second fitting member installed in the rear upper surfaceof the second cabinet 60 for performing a fitting function to retain thesecond cabinet 60 from a further movement when the actuating rod 66moves downward.

[0041] The control means has an opening/closing switch 74 manipulated bythe user to draw out the first and second cabinets 50 and 60, a firstsensor means 58 installed in the inner rear side of the first cabinetreceiving compartment of the housing 2 for detecting if the cabinet 50is drawn out, a second sensor means 68 installed in the inner rear sideof the second cabinet receiving compartment of the housing 2 fordetecting if the second cabinet 60 is drawn out, and a micom 82 forselectively operating the first and second solenoids 52 and 62 inresponse to electric signals applied from the first and second sensormeans 58 and 68.

[0042] Here, the first and second sensor means 58 and 68 are composed oflimit switches. The limit switches are pressed by the rear sides of thecabinets to be off when the first and second cabinets 50 and 60 areclosed, and return to be on when the first and second cabinets 50 and 60are opened.

[0043] The locking method of the drawer-type washing machine accordingto the second embodiment of the invention having the foregoingconfiguration will be described in detail as follows:

[0044] The opening/closing switch 74 of the washing machine ismanipulated so that the first cabinet 50 or the second cabinet is drawnout forward in step S10, it is judged if the cabinet is opened in stepS20. In other words the micom 82 confirms the first sensor menas 58outputs an on signal or an off signal.

[0045] If the cabinet 50 is judged as opened in step S20, the secondsolenoid 62 is powered to lock the second cabinet 60 in step S30. Inother words, when the on signal is applied from the first sensor means58 to the micom 82 so that the micom 82 judges the first cabinet 50 asopened and applies power to the second solenoid 62, the second actuatingrod 66 moves downward fitting into the second fitting member 64 to lockthe second cabinet 60.

[0046] Here, if the first cabinet 50 is judged as closed, it is judgedif the second cabinet 60 is opened in step S40. In other words, themicom 82 judges if a signal from the second sensor means 68 is the onsignal or the off signal to confirm if the second cabinet 60 is opened.

[0047] If the second cabinet 60 is judged as opened in step S40, thefirst solenoid 52 is powered to lock the first cabinet 50 in step S50.In other words, when the off signal is applied from the first sensormeans 58 and the on signal is applied from the second sensor means 68,the micom 82 judges the second cabinet 60 as opened to apply power tothe first solenoid 52. Then, the first actuating rod 56 moves downwardfitting into the first fitting member 54 attached to the first cabinet50 to lock the first cabinet 50.

[0048] According to the drawer-type washing machine and the lockingmethod thereof of the invention having the foregoing configuration, thecabinet is automatically drawn out only if the switch installed in theouter wall of the housing is manipulated. Also, in the housingpartitioned into a plurality of compartments, upon judging at least onecabinet as opened, the remaining cabinet is locked to prevent thewashing machine from falling down as the plurality of cabinets are drawnout at the same time forwardly biasing the center of gravity.

What is claimed is:
 1. A drawer-type washing machine comprising: ahousing having one open side; a cabinet which can be drawn out forwardthrough the open side of said housing, said cabinet being positionedwithin said housing; a washing bath positioned within said cabinet forwashing the laundry; and drawing means provided between said housing andsaid cabinet for automatically drawing out said cabinet.
 2. Adrawer-type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein said drawingmeans comprises: guide panels provided in a side of said cabinet forguiding said cabinet to be drawn out forward; a driving roller providedwithin said housing, said driving roller being rotational in said guidepanel while contacting therewith; and a driving motor for rotating saiddriving roller to shift said cabinet forward and backward.
 3. Adrawer-type washing machine according to claim 2, wherein said drawingmeans further comprises a driving gear installed in an axis of saiddriving motor and a driven gear installed in an axis of said drivingroller for engaging into said driving gear.
 4. A drawer-type washingmachine according to claim 2, wherein said driving roller is made of anelastic material.
 5. A drawer-type washing machine according to claim 2,wherein said guide panel has upper and lower rails, each of said railscontacting with said driving roller.
 6. A drawer-type washing machineaccording to claim 2, further comprising a guide rail within saidhousing and a support roller attached to said cabinet, said supportroller being rotational on said guide rail.
 7. A drawer-type washingmachine comprising: a housing having one open side and partitioned intoa plurality of compartments; cabinets which can be drawn out forwardthrough the open side of said housing, each of said cabinets beingpositioned in each of said compartments; washing baths for washing thelaundry, each of said washing baths being positioned within each of saidcabinets; and locking means provided between said housing and saidcabinets for restraining said cabinet from being drawn out forward fromsaid housing.
 8. A drawer-type washing machine according to claim 7,wherein said locking means comprises: solenoids having actuating rodsfor linearly moving upon being powered, each of said solenoids beingprovided within each of said compartments for receiving each of saidcabinets; and fitting members for performing a fitting functions uponmovement of said actuating rods, each of said fitting members beingprovided in each of said cabinets.
 9. A drawer-type washing machineaccording to claim 8, wherein said locking means further comprisescontrol means, if at least one of said cabinets is opened, for actuatingsaid locking means in the others of said cabinets from being opened. 10.A drawer-type washing machine according to claim 9, wherein said controlmeans comprises: sensor means provided in said housing for detectingopen/closed positions of said cabinets; and a micom for actuating saidlocking means in response to signals applied from said sensor means. 11.A drawer-type washing machine according to claim 10, wherein said sensormeans are composed of limit switches, in which each of said limitswitches is pressed by the side of one of said cabinets to apply an offsignal in the closed position of said one of cabinets, and returns toapply an on signal in the open position of said one of cabinets.
 12. Alocking method of a drawer-type washing machine comprising the followingsteps of: judging if a first cabinet is opened when the washing machineis powered on; if the first cabinet is judged as opened, powering asecond locking means to locking a second cabinet; if the first cabinetis judged as closed, judging if a second cabinet is opened; and if thesecond cabinet is judged as opened, powering the first locking means tolock the first cabinet.